School absences, suspensions, and exclusions have reached record highs in recent years. Behind the numbers is a complex story of trauma, vulnerability and unmet needs. What’s causing this trend — and how can we tackle it? Kiran Gill, former teacher and founder of The Difference, explores how schools can prevent lost learning while helping children stay safe. 

Links & resources 

Website: The Difference 

Resource for education leaders: Education, Children and Violence 

Resource for policymakers: Education Policy, Children and Violence 

Research: Association between school exclusion, suspension, absence and violent crime 

Research: Beyond the Headlines 2025 

Research: Making The Difference: Breaking the link between school exclusion and social exclusion 

Research: Who is losing learning? 

Research: Lost learning: Prevalence, inequalities and outcomes of internal exclusion in mainstream secondary schools 

Stats: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England 

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Host: Ciaran Thapar, Youth Endowment Fund 

Series Producer: Meera Kumar